Community champion carries Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton

Govan-based Leanne Carmichael, 34, yesterday (Tuesday) had the honour of carrying the Queen’s Baton during its journey throughout Scotland, ahead of tonight’s Commonwealth Games opening Ceremony at Celtic Park.

Leanne, who has a learning disability and cerebral palsy, was chosen to carry the baton through her hometown of Govan, thanks to her continued dedication to raising thousands of pounds for local good causes. Leanne lives in her own tenancy at Elder Grove, a supported living service for adults with learning disabilities that is part of the national social care charity Community Integrated Care.

Her charitable efforts have seen her complete an annual charity 10k race for the last five years in honour of the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, as well as hold regular fundraising coffee mornings for Macmillan.

For the last six weeks, the Queen’s Baton has been making its way through Scotland, after a nine-month journey throughout the Commonwealth beginning in India, where the 2010 Commonwealth Games were held. It will complete the final leg of its journey this evening, when it travels to Celtic Park, where the Official Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games will take place.

Gillian McConnell, Community Integrated Care’s Regional Manager for Glasgow, says: “Nobody is more deserving of this incredible honour than Leanne – her devotion to living a full life and giving back to her local community, despite the many challenges she faces in life, is incredible. Watching Leanne carry the baton on its final journey through Govan was a very fulfilling and emotional moment. She should be very proud that she will forever be part of the history of such an inspirational and important event.”

Community Integrated Care is one of Britain’s biggest care providers – supporting over 5000 people across England and Scotland who have learning disabilities, mental health concerns, autism and age-related needs – including dementia. Find out more at www.c-i-c.co.uk